This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Saturday is a day for hockey. Well, college football and hockey, but we're focused on hockey here. There are eight NHL games tonight, starting with a batch of games at 7:00 PM Eastern. Here are my recommendations for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLM at CAR ($8,800): Were you worried about Bobrovsky after his slow start? Well you can forget about that, as he's posted a 1.57 GAA and .952 save percentage. The Hurricanes have only scored 2.72 goals per game, so if Bob is over his illness – and he practiced Friday – he should be good to go.
CENTER
Vincent Trocheck, FLA at NYR ($6,300): Trocheck has tallied 13 points in 16 games, even though he only has three goals. The 25-year-old only sports a 6.5 shooting percentage, which is bound to improve. Meanwhile, the Rangers have struggled with a 3.26 GAA, in part because they've allowed 33.7 shots on goal per contest.
Bo Horvat, VAN vs. MON ($5,900): Horvat has been overshadowed a bit by Elias Pettersson, but he's off to a hot start in his own right. He's already notched 10 goals in 21 games, and he's also added six points with the extra man. The Canadiens enter with a 3.32 GAA and an .894 save percentage.
WING
Jake Guentzel, PIT at OTT ($6,500): Injuries, and a trade for Tanner Pearson, have shuffled things for the Penguins. But, in the end, Guentzel is a guy with six goals and six assists through 17 games. More importantly, there is no better matchup a player can ask for. The Senators boast a league-worst 4.05 GAA and have allowed a whopping 38.5 shots on goal per contest.
Craig Smith, NAS vs. LOS ($5,100): Smith has started 73.0 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, which is the highest on the Predators. He's used that to help him put 64 shots on goal through 19 games, notching five goals in the process. The Kings are a mess in goal right now, as their top-two goalies are hurt and they're on the second night of a back-to-back. Oh, and it gets worse: Peter Budaj didn't play Friday due to an illness, so if he can't go Saturday then Cal Petersen may have to tend goal two games in a row.
Kevin Labanc, SAN vs. STL ($4,700): Labanc has started 64.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, tops among San Jose forwards. After striking for 40 points last season, he's racked up 12 through 20 games. Since the Blues are on the second night of a back-to-back, Chad Johnson may be in net. He's played well this season, but slumped to an .891 save percentage last year.
DEFENSE
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. EDM ($5,600): Giordano is on a tear to start the season, notching 18 points through 19 games. This is despite the fact he has a 3.5 shooting percentage, so he's not even getting any puck luck. The 34-year-old has also played 3:46 per game on the power play, notching six points with the extra man. Edmonton owns the 27th-ranked penalty kill, which bodes well for Giordano.
Ryan Ellis, NAS vs. LOS ($4,800): Ellis has eight points – all assists – this season, but he managed nine goals in 44 games last year, and 16 the season prior to that. He's averaged 24:41 in ice time, with 3:10 of that on the power play). And with P.K. Subban hurt, Ellis's minutes could even increase. As previously noted, the Kings are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, and at best journeyman third-stringer Peter Budaj will be in net.
